Fiona Freeman M.Ed
I'm delighted that you have found my me! 10 years ago, I was working as a professional photographer and God put a calling on my life to serve through teaching primary school. At that point I'd had an amazing career in Fashion and Corporate, managing & training sales teams of up to 1000 staff, and photographing celebrities & rock stars. Returning to Uni was pretty difficult! My first few years of teaching in the public school system were so mixed. I absolutely loved the kids & the face to face teaching, but was shocked to find a completely broken education system. I began tutoring independently 7 years ago and it has been an absolute honour and a privilege to nurture dozens of children and their families through the very turbulent times that we have found ourselves living in.
Be encouraged! There are educators and leaders in our community to feel just like you do and want to support and lead future generations to greatness. Together, we can give our children the future they all deserve.
My Philosophy
Children are born curious and highly capable. Humanity, is by it's very nature, destined for greatness. I believe all children have gifts and talents, strengths and weaknesses. It is our job to assist them to identify what these are and support them to develop to mastery in all areas. All children want to be great. It is innate. When a person does not meet their potential, it affects them on a physical, spiritual and emotional level.
Children want to compete and they want to win. They need to understand themselves, and they need to engage with master teachers (this includes their parents) at every stage of their development, who show them how, and give them the opportunity to be the captains of their own ship. In the same way, when they have not yet learnt, they need to understand how to embrace that feeling, and use it as motivation to get up and give things a go. A child's attitude towards themselves is even more important that their ability.
What I offer at New Leaf is the opportunity for you, as a family, to step into an environment that fosters a spirit of excellence where winning is rewarded and losing is seen as an incredibly exciting flag to get to work. My approach absolutely leads with love - children need to feel that you've got them and will support them no matter what. Alongside that, they need to learn discipline and standards, and the buzz of chasing the win.
Our program is rigorous, nuturing and we do not put a cap on what a child can learn due to their age or current progress. 60% of the curriculum children learn in schools I do not teach because it is outdated, irrelevant or has an agenda that does not align with my values and the values of the families that I represent. My students work hard and have fun doing so. After a term with me, you will notice - an improved vocabulary, ability to do mental maths at a rapid pace, and a child that is more engaged and happy. After a year with me you will notice social issues disappear, academic excellence, your child becomes a voracious reader, their creativity is through the roof, and they are able to solve real world problems without deferring to others. Come and see!